Tips for Keeping Young Livestock Healthy

If your livestock are about to give birth, it is important to be as informed as possible about proper care to ensure healthy offspring. Below is our general guide to maintaining the health and performance of young livestock—primarily calves, lambs, and kids (young goats). The key components to focus on are nutrition, shelter, disease prevention, thermal protection, and daily monitoring/management.  We strongly recommend consulting with a livestock veterinarian if you have any questions or concerns.

1. Immediate Care After Birth

Strong early-life management greatly influences survival and future productivity. The first few days after birth are by far the most important. Below are some important factors to focus on:

Colostrum Intake

• Must be given within the first 2 hours of life; maximally effective immune absorption occurs within the first 12 hours.
• Target volume:

Calves: Approximately 10% of bodyweight in the first 12 hours (typically 3–4 quarts promptly, then another feeding soon after).

Lambs/Kids: 10–20% of bodyweight in the first 24 hours.

• Use high-quality tested colostrum or commercial replacer if dam colostrum is unavailable.
• Ensure bottle feeding competency or stomach tube administration if necessary (trained personnel only).

Navel Care

• Dip navels in 7% iodine or chlorhexidine shortly after birth to prevent infection.

Breathing and Drying

• Clear airways; dry thoroughly to reduce chilling stress.

2. Feeding & Nutrition

Proper feeding is the backbone of growth, immunity, and survival. Feeding volumes and rates vary depending on the type of animal. Below is a general synopsis:

Milk Feeding

• Feed clean, body-temperature milk or replacer.
• Use species-appropriate replacers (never mix species formulations).
• Follow consistent feeding schedules because stress and scours increase with inconsistency.

Typical feeding guidance

• Calves: Milk or replacer 2–3 times daily; consider accelerated feeding programs if management allows.
• Lambs/Kids: More frequent, smaller feedings during the first weeks; automatic feeders or bottle programs must be sanitized rigorously.

Transition to Solid Feed

• Offer starter feeds early:
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  • Calves: high-quality calf starter by 3–5 days old and be sure that fresh water is always available.
  • Lambs/Kids: creep feed available early; encourage rumen development.
• Good quality hay supports rumen development (timing varies by system).
• Weaning decisions should be based on intake and body condition - not just age:
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  • Calves: typically when consuming 1.5 - 2 pounds of starter feed daily.
  • Lambs/Kids: generally when reliably eating solid feed and maintaining weight.

Water

• Clean, accessible, unfrozen water at all times; dehydration quickly leads to scours and weakness.

3. Shelter & Housing

When selecting shelter for your newborn livestock, the goal is dry, draft-free, well-ventilated, and sanitary conditions.  

Key Priorities

• Dry bedding - straw is preferred in cold climates due to insulation.
• Ventilation without drafts – Proper ventilation is often overlooked. Fresh air reduces respiratory disease. Avoid ammonia buildup.
• Stocking density control – Do not overcrowd the animals. Overcrowding increases stress, pathogen load, and competition.
• Sanitation – Young animals do not have fully formed immune systems. Frequent bedding replacement is necessary. Be sure to disinfect feeding equipment daily.

Housing Options

• Calves: hutches or well-designed group housing with good air exchange are the preferred options.
• Lambs/Kids: lambing/kidding pens should be clean and well-bedded; group housing as they grow, but you should avoid mixing weak animals with strong ones too early.

4. Vaccinations & Disease Prevention

It is important to have a good working relationship with a local livestock veterinarian prior to the birthing process.  Vaccination protocols should always be developed by a licensed livestock veterinarian, as regional disease risks and farm history matter. However, common frameworks include:

Calves

• Clostridial vaccines (e.g., 7-way or 8-way).
• Respiratory disease vaccines (IBR, BRSV, PI3, BVD), timing varies.
• Scour prevention in dams or calves depending on system.

Lambs & Kids

• Clostridium C & D + Tetanus (CD&T) is standard.
• Additional vaccines may be used in endemic disease areas.

Biosecurity & Parasite Control

• Quarantine new arrivals.
• Manage coccidiosis risk (hygiene, coccidiostats as recommended).
• Parasite management based on fecal testing—avoid blanket deworming.
• Minimize nose-to-nose mixing between age groups.

5. Warming Jackets & Thermal Comfort

Young livestock cannot regulate temperature efficiently in cold environments.

When warming jackets or additional heat can help:

• Immediately after birth if ambient temperatures are cold.
• For weak, stressed, or lightweight animals.
• During extreme weather (wind, rain, or severe cold).

Key rules

• Always dry animals first before applying jackets.
• Do not overheat; animals still require ventilation.
• Jackets must be clean and checked regularly.

Bedding depth rule of thumb

• If you kneel and your knees get cold/wet, the bedding is inadequate. You will need to add a thicker base of bedding.

6. Monitoring & Daily Management

Strong and focused daily management prevents small problems from becoming major losses. Here are some tasks to focus on:

• Observe behavior - bright, alert, and feeding well are all positive signs.
• Check hydration (sunken eyes, weak suck reflex = dehydration risk).
• Monitor manure consistency - runny or bloody stools requires medical intervention.
• Track weights and growth.
• Maintain consistent routines to reduce stress.
• Train your staff. Consistent animal handling prevents injuries and disease spread.

In Summary

Healthy calves, lambs, and kids depend on excellent early care, strong nutrition, hygienic and well-designed housing, structured vaccination and parasite programs, and vigilant observation. Most losses are preventable with disciplined husbandry and a solid veterinary partnership.